We have a ton of family portraits lined up for this summer, and this was a great way to start the season! This sweet (LARGE) family hailed from Ohio, Denver, and New York, and we were so honored to be asked to document their vacation in Watercolor. We shot in Seaside Village and ended on the beach, and this family’s kindness and humor made me wish I was vacationing with them 
I really love my job. I think one of my favorite things about being a photographer is that so many people I love value what I do – not in an abstract way, but in a real, day-to-day manner. I my previous life I was a high school English teacher. Do you know how often friends and family members would genuinely ask me to apply my knowledge to their life? NEVER. (Can you imagine the conversation over a glass of wine after dinner? ”Hey Aislinn, let’s discuss the connection between Minerva, the owl, and color grey…”).
With this in mind, I was thrilled to bits when my brother and sister-in-law asked me to take a few shots of them on Christmas Eve for a New Years card. We left all babies in the cabin and spent about 30 minutes strolling up the driveway and through the woods, laughing, and created some great family portraits. Merry Christmas!
P.S. Can you guess which shot they chose for their cards??
Noah was only a week-and-a-half old at this shoot, but this is (kind of) the second time I’ve photographed him! Of course, the first time he was still in Mommy’s tummy. :) I spent the afternoon at the family’s home in Dothan and had a lovely time. The newly-expanded family was so sweet and obviously delighted with Baby Noah – and I’m delighted with these photos! Every time I opened a new shot for editing, I sighed and smiled…
Also, I thought Veteran’s Day was the perfect time to post these shots of such a wonderful military family – THANK YOU.
This time of year is full of family portraits in preparation for Christmas card season, and this one is a favorite of mine. The Beiswengers are fun and friendly, and I had a tough time narrowing down the shots to 20 for this post.
(P.S. People ask me all the time what they should wear for group portraits – this post is my answer! Pick two colors and a neutral, and dress everyone is clothes they LIKE in those colors. I love how this family complements each other without “matching.”)
I’ve known Sara and Steve for almost three years now, and they are just delicious! I shot their Savannah engagement portrait and Stone Mountain wedding in 2009, and I was delighted to hear that they are expecting their family to expand this fall! They traveled to Pensacola just for this shoot, and we had fun splashing around on the beach while shooting some gorgeous photos. I usually have one or two clear favorites from a shoot, but I absolutely cannot choose . . . I love them all.
Notice how the belly feet mirror the feet on Steve’s patch? Sara’s idea, and I loved it…
One of my favorite things about Jennie and Rick’s wedding was the obvious closeness of their family; I was thrilled when they asked me to shoot an impromptu family session on the beach the next day! These are a few of my favorites… The beautiful Turks and Caicos sunset was a treat!
All it took was a sideways suggestion that the kids should jump, and the family was airborne! Love it.
I love this series. 1. Before…
2. During…
3. The Aftermath!
Some of you may recognize Julie and Dane from their awesome engagement shoot in downtown Pensacola – I was so thrilled to have the chance to shoot them again, this time surrounded by Julie’s family! The McCools are SO MUCH FUN. We started at the boardwalk in Milton, and ended up at the amazing Railroad Museum, which quickly became one of my favorite backgrounds for portraits (I have a feeling you will be seeing more of it on this site…). I knew I loved this family when Mom hitched a ride with me to the museum, and hopped out of the car when we arrived saying, “Okay! Aislinn and I are best friends now!” I hope we are
P.S. Check out the BLUE EYES on this family. They’re electric…
P.P.S. The McCools wardrobe choice is perfect! I recommend families wear clothes in similar shades, so it’s not to “matchy,” but still looks great together. This is exactly what I have in mind.
When I suggested this barn door as a backdrop (but expressed a fear of snakes), no one hesitated! Before I knew what was happening, there was a full-on McCool Family Expedition to locate and drive out any interlopers
What you can’t tell from this photo is that approximately two seconds after I took it, Dad screamed “SNAKE! SNAKE!,” causing me to move faster and less gracefully than I considered humanly possible. HA. HA. HA. (I will get you back – just wait…)
So, I am scared of heights. Not like, “hyperventilating-and-crying-scared,” but I definitely close my eyes and pretend to be elsewhere while the Ferris Wheel is moving. I also love photography challenges. The excitement at shooting atop a lighthouse beat out the panic, and here are the results.
Stephanie and Frasier had a lovely ceremony, witnessed by Stephanie’s three children and the setting sun. The shoot was a joy – a bit of a family portrait, a slice of a wedding, and a smidge of a romantic couples’ shoot – and was a perfect way to spend the afternoon of such a beautiful day. It was touching to witness the new family sharing in the sanctity and celebration.
This is my favorite photo EVER of a witness signing the marriage license!
Check out Stephanie’s daughter’s hand offering a handkerchief. Love it.
Branson is a cutie. I had the chance to shoot him a year ago, and again last week, and I love feeling as though I am documenting every change in his features and personality. He also has one of the sweetest personalities (his mom, Laura, is pretty rad too).
We shot these at Navarre Beach, in a place I have whiled away many an afternoon… My favorites are towards the bottom – the sunlight turned to liquid gold and I was stunned by how beautifully it seemed to outline Branson’s face and body – you can’t fake that with artificial light
